The Australia-Papua New Guinea Ministerial Forum will take place in Port Moresby today, bringing ministers together to advance our shared priorities and deepen our partnership.
This will be the first Ministerial Forum since Prime Ministers Albanese and Marape announced the entry into force of the Pukpuk Treaty in July, marking a new chapter in our relationship. The Treaty establishes Papua New Guinea’s first alliance with any country and Australia’s first new alliance in more than 70 years.
Sustained engagement with partners like Papua New Guinea is essential to supporting a peaceful, stable and prosperous region.
As well as the Deputy Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister, Australia will be represented by:
- The Hon Amanda Rishworth MP, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relation
- Senator the Hon Murray Watt, Minister for the Environment and Water
- The Hon Anika Wells MP, Minister for Communications, Minister for Sport
- The Hon Pat Conroy MP, Minister for Defence Industry, Minister for Pacific Island Affairs
- The Hon Kristy McBain MP, Minister for Emergency Management, Minister for Regional Development, Territories and Local Government
- The Hon Nita Green MP, Assistant Minister for Pacific Island Affairs
The breadth and seniority of Australia’s delegation demonstrate the priority we place on our relationship with Papua New Guinea.
This year’s Forum will focus on translating the ambition of our Alliance into practical outcomes that benefit Australians and Papua New Guineans, including strengthening our defence and security partnership and cooperation on telecommunications and critical infrastructure.
The Ministerial Forum will be held alongside the annual Papua New Guinea – Australia Business Dialogue, bringing government and business representatives together to identify opportunities to increase trade and investment, support jobs and strengthen economic resilience.
Together, Australia and Papua New Guinea are addressing shared challenges, seizing new opportunities and supporting the long-term prosperity and security of both our nations.
Following the Forum, the Deputy Prime Minister will travel to Timor-Leste on 21 October, further strengthening our partnership and defence cooperation. It will be his second visit to Timor-Leste since the establishment of a Parseria Foun ba Era Foun (New Partnership for a New Era) by Prime Ministers Albanese and Gusmão earlier this year.
Quotes attributable to Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles:
“The Pukpuk Treaty reflects the next phase of a relationship built over generations and demonstrates our shared commitment to strengthening security cooperation between our two nations.
“Australia and Papua New Guinea are investing in our people, infrastructure and institutions to support a peaceful, stable and prosperous future and this Forum provides an opportunity to advance our shared priorities and deepen cooperation across defence, security and economic development.
“Australia and Timor-Leste have a longstanding defence partnership as neighbours. I look forward to advancing our cooperation together on this visit.”
Quotes attributable to Foreign Minister Penny Wong:
“Australia and Papua New Guinea have a close and enduring relationship, and our new Alliance reflects the importance we place on this partnership.
“In a more contested region, strong relationships matter more than ever. Australia is committed to the sustained engagement and trust that underpin our partnership with Papua New Guinea.
“I look forward to meeting with Foreign Minister Tkatchenko and other Ministers at the Forum as we translate our Alliance into practical outcomes that benefit Australians and Papua New Guineans.”
